Benade in high spirits as Sables get back at work

Zimpapers Sports Hub

PIET BENADE cast a figure of a content man, so much so that there was a renewed energy about the Zimbabwe rugby Sables coach shortly before attending to his charges in the capital yesterday.

The Christmas holiday, however short, was a welcome break for the 42-year-old former Zimbabwe international.

It is a huge year for Benade and his men as they seek to qualify for the World Cup since 1991.
“Yeah, the break was very good,” said Benade.

“It was good to catch up with family and friends, and to have a short mental and physical break before heading into 2025,” he said.

It has been a month since Benade and the local contingent of the Sables squad returned to training.
Strength and conditioning has been the order of the day for the training squad, all the while Benade and his technical team keep their eye on the foreign-based players.

“We started working with our local squad on January 6, with a strength and conditioning programme, and the boys have started the year with a great attitude and hunger to build on the foundations laid last year. “We are into our second month now and the spirits are still very high.

“A year on from last term, we are in pretty decent shape. Obviously, with some months still to come until the Africa Cup, we are taking baby steps to get the boys back to playing rugby.
“That should be around early March,” he said.

On the international front, Benade had another reason to smile as Sables’ front rower Cleopas Kundiona signed for English Premiership champions Northampton.

“We are extremely proud of Cloppy (Kundiona). He is an excellent example of someone who used Zimbabwe rugby as a vehicle to improve or change his life. He is extremely proud to be a Sable and, thankfully for us, he has assured us that he will be available for national duty for July.

Kundiona was a key member of Benade’s team that clinched the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup in Uganda. At the time, he was on the books of French Pro Division Two side USON Neves where he spent three seasons.

Now, a big break is on the horizon for Kundiona as he switches to the top English Premiership side Northampton. The 26-year-old Zimbabwean front rower is not the only player Benade and his technical team have been keeping tabs on.

“We are keeping a close eye on everyone with particular attention being paid to all the foreign-based players,” he said.

“Our strength and conditioning coaches are in constant communication with our foreign-based boys. We will do our best to ensure that everyone arrives fit, strong and ready to cope with the demands of what is to come in July.”

Zimbabwe will go into this year’s Africa Cup rated as the number one team.
More importantly for Benade is the fact that this year’s Africa Cup is also serving as the final 2027 World Cup qualifier. And the Sables are looking to end their long absence from the global rugby showcase where the class which included their ex-coach Brendon Dawson and the late Richard Tsimba featured for Zimbabwe.

The Sables have only been to two World Cup shows, in 1987 and 1991.
They have often come agonisngly close to qualifying in the last 34 years with Namibia proving their biggest nemesis.

Benade’s men, however, showed last year that Namibia are beatable as they overcame the Welwitschias via a sensational 32-10 win in the Africa Cup semi-final on July 24.
While it was necessary to win the Africa Cup last year, Benade and his Sables know that it could all count for very little if they do not repeat that feat in the same country this year.

This is because the winner of this year’s Africa Cup will automatically punch a ticket to the World Cup showcase in Australia.

The runners-up in the Africa Cup, will then get a second bite of the cherry at the Repechage tournament, which many believe could be a harder mountain to climb.
Benade and his charges are well aware of what is at stake.
“There will be massive pressure and nerves come the Africa Cup tournament in July.

“We are aiming to showcase the best of Zimbabwe’s senior men’s team on a world stage.
“That is the responsibility of all the coaches and players in that we want to ensure that we project a positive image.

“We will have a national block, early next month, where we hope to also assist our Under-20s prepare for their season with a match.

“The boys will then represent their clubs during the Nedbank Rugby Challenge before we take on a series of regional international sides in May.

“Primarily, this will be aimed at providing pathways to the national team for our local-based players,” added Benade.